CAGAYAN De Oro—Manila Southwoods comes into the Senior competition of the Philippine Airlines Interclub as the dark horse, what with perennial powers Luisita and Canlubang renewing their fabled rivalry and Del Monte playing on veritable home soil.
But one major tweak in the lineup gives Southwoods team official Jerome Delariarte some courage to think that this might be the year for the Carmona-based squad.
“We have a good chance,” Delariarte told the Inquirer as the 55-and-above crown begins to be disputed Thursday at Pueblo de Oro here. “We made a significant addition and the team veterans have been playing well.”
READ: Southwoods well on way to another Fil-Am sweep
Jorge Gallent, who recently steered San Miguel Beer to the Commissioner’s Cup title in the PBA, makes his Interclub debut for Southwoods, which he has made formidable after joining a side that already has the irrepressible Jun Jun Plana.
Many-time champ
“That’s a solid core,” Delariarte said. “We hope to do really well this year, although Cangolf, Luisita and Del Monte, because of their players’ familiarity of the courses, remain formidable.”
Gallent, the many-time Alabang club champion, and Plana are joined in the team by Theody Pascual, Joseph Tambunting, Monet Garcia, Manfred Guangco, Michael Cheon and Thirdy Escaño.
The Sugar Barons have been labeled by defending champion Luisita nonplaying skipper Jeric Hechanova as the team to beat after bringing in just five of its squad last year and adding Pem Rosal, JP Reyes and ex-pro Jess Hernandez.
“It will be tough to retain the championship, but players are ready and excited for the tournament to start,” said Hechanova. “Luisita will be the underdog this year.”